Mufti: OK to wish Happy Deepavali
Malaysiakini
Oct  13, 2006
Muhammad Razif

Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria today clarified that Muslims are permitted to extend greetings to those of other faiths in conjunction with their respective festivities.

According to him, Muslims are only prohibited from joining in the celebrations as this can be against the tenets of Islam.

“If it is only wishing Happy Deepavali, it is okay as long as we (Muslims) do not celebrate these festivities.

“If it is out of respect for your neighbours or visiting their houses (during the festivities), this is also permissible as long as we (Muslims) do not do things which are against the teachings of Islam,” he told malaysiakini. 

Harussani, who is head of the National Mufti Council, was commenting on an internal circular issued by Takaful Malaysia syariah department head Mohd Fauzi Mustaffar advising his staff against extending Deepavali greetings to Hindus.

Meanwhile, Harussani said Muslims are prohibited from mixing Islamic celebrations with those of other faiths in whatever form.

“Let them (non-Muslims) celebrate their festivities in their own way without involving us (Muslims),” he said.

Early this year, the mufti came under fire from various quarters for objecting to joint celebrations, such as kongsiraya.

Police report lodged

Mohd Fauzi’s circular had ignited strong protests from various groups, which the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) calling for his sacking.

MHS, which described his comments as being seditious and having the potential to create disharmony, has filed a police report on the matter this afternoon.

“We call on the authorities to dismiss him if he is not going to retract his statement and apologise to the Hindu community,” said association president A Vaithilingam.

Yesterday, the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) also called for Mohd Fauzi’s sacking.

“Fauzi should also repent for his arrogance in thinking that he has the knowledge on the matter,” said Ikim director-general Syed Ali Tawfik Al Attas.

In his circular, Mohd Fauzi said because Hindu festivals involved the worship of deities, expressing greetings was akin to practising polytheism and against the tenets of Islam.

“Muslims who have inadvertently wished Hindus Happy Deepavali, Happy Durga Pooja or Happy Lakhshmi Pooja must immediately repent and not repeat it in future," he added.

Takaful Malaysia responded by saying the circular was only to remind its staff to be ‘cautious’ when they attend Deepavali celebrations.